budwood

We are nearing the time of the year to collect citrus scions for spring budding.
In our area the scions need to collected no later than the first of March, the leaves clipped off, placed in zip lok bags and stored in the refrigerator crisper until the bark on the root stock is slipping. The tip ends of round oranges and grapefruit are beginning to show new growth. It is best not to store the scions in a refrigerator that contains apples. I like to clip the lower 3 buds on a flush of growth and discard them when storing the scions. The lower 2 buds are blind buds and not vegetative buds.

Bonnie, thanks for the reminder. Speaking of budding/grafting I just got a few sticks of budwood in and found enough Yuzu and Rangpur (flushing growth) to bud to. This time around I was doing Nigerian Powder Flask so I used chip budding. I've tried NPF before and failed so we'll see how it goes this time. Couple of weeks ago I transplanted the Citrumelo seedlings that I grew from the fruit I picked and asked you about at our last stop @ Burleigh's (sp?) in Orange, TX, they look good! Many thanks!

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Thanks Bonnie. I've read about blind buds but I didn't know where to find them.
Terry

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I was fortunate to know Fletcher Granberry at DeRidder louisiana before he died in the early 70s. He is the person tha told me about blind buds, plus a lot other information about growing citrus. I have tried to pass this along. A long time ago I asked Dr. Calvin Lyons why blinds buds were not mentioned. His reply was that blind buds was common knowledge. My thought are not until some one telly you.

I think this is the year I am going to attempt grafting. Hopefully they will take. I have been reading everything I can for the last year. I think I am finally brave enough to take the plunge.
Andi

Andi,
Graft as many times as you can. You'll learn a lot from just doing it over and over.
Terry

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Andi, I'm with you! But I'm going to start on my apple trees for practice, since I do not have budwood or seedlings old enough to graft to for citrus. I am so excited to learn how, though. I think my apple trees can take the abuse of my learning curve, and I need to add a pollinator, anyway. Good luck and please share your experiences. Barbara

Apple and pear are a nice way to start grafting and budding. If you are going to t-bud the scion need to be cut while dormant and place in a slight moist medium, then placed in zip lok bag and then stored in the refrig crisper until time to graft or bud.

Thanks, buddinman. I have access to my mom's yellow delicious and I am going to have her collect a few scions for me after the snow event. Either that or I will next week when I get down there. That way I will have them for when the trees are ready. Barbara

Hmmmmm, I have peach, nectarine, and red delicious, gala apple in my yard. My mother has green apple, pear, peach, and cherry in her yard. My aunts and uncles also have fruit trees in their yards. Maybe its time to go shopping for some budwood for new varieties. I had never thought about grafting on my other fruit trees.
Andi